Marine experts in Tasmania have abandoned hopes of rescuing over 150 false killer whales that became stranded on a remote beach near Arthur River. Initially, 157 whales were discovered on Tuesday, but efforts to assist them were hampered by unfavorable sea conditions. Marine biologist Chris Carrion reported that the remaining survivors would likely be euthanized due to prolonged suffering, as conditions were expected to remain unsuitable for rescue.
As of Wednesday, the number of survivors had decreased from 136 to 90, with the incident being the largest stranding since 1974. The whales’ inaccessibility and challenging marine conditions complicated rescue attempts. Brendon Clark from the Department of Natural Resources noted that the reason for the strandings was still unclear, but past incidents have been attributed to various factors including illness, disorientation, and environmental disturbances.
Local resident Jocelyn Flint described the situation as tragic, highlighting the distress of the whales thrashing as they struggled in the rising water. In Australia’s history, significant whale strandings, such as one involving 470 pilot whales in 2020, suggest that this phenomenon can have devastating outcomes for marine life.
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